Good starter headset.

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youngflyer

Well-Known Member
I have started my private pilot training and I was curious of what you guys think would be a good starter headset. I have used the schools David Clarks Passive noise reduction headset but it cuts sound out intermitenly and is kind of annoying. I want one before I solo, turn 16 in may and hope to solo then. I was thinking the lightspeed 30-3gs. My parents are paying half so i guess I have a budget of $600 total. What are some suggestions for a headset to try out. The david clark feels alright, not great, but not bad for sure. Would ANR be worth it?
 
I really think that you should look at the headset as a long-term investment.

There are, of course, two main types: Passive and Active noise reduction...

My recommendation would be going toward Active NR. Reducing those low freq db's will really clear up the clarity of comms, and also save your ears for several years.

The downside of Noise Reduction is that in most cases, breaking the seal with temples from eyeglasses does reduce the active noise reduction.

I have been using David Clark X11's throughout my training. They are amazing for 1) not even knowing I am wearing them.... and that is for quite a few 8+ hour days. 2) DC designs their headsets to mil-spec. that means you can throw them on the ground, slam them in the door, smash the wires, etc.... and they will not be hurt. If they are hurt then the warranty is infallible.
Downside of the X11's is that since they are so "light" on the head, you cannot (note - cannot) wear sunglass temples underneath them. But seriously, I am more than happy that I made the decision to buy them. Shop around.... try to get better prices than listed.... you can!

I have only had on other experience with NR headphones, and that was with Light-speeds. The ANR was awesome. I WAS able to wear my glasses underneath them... BUT they were clamping on my head within one hour.

My advice: try as many as you can. Avoid the Bose hype. Buy Noise reduction. No matter what... buy Noise Reduction. Your ears will thank you. I've talked to people who did without NR throughout training, and they respond with "what?" after many questions.
 
On the other hand, you could always just get something basic for now. I have 3 headsets and haven't paid more than $85 for any of them. I got 2 of them used. I haven't lost any hearing. They get the job done just fine. Once you finish your PPL you'll want more than 1 headset so you can take up friends. The first one I got was a Softcomm Prince.
 
I'd heavily suggest, as a bare minimum, a David Clark 13.4.
 
I used a pair of DC13.4 for my PPL, then "upgraded" to Lightspeed 20-3gs. Both are excellent headsets, although I began wearing earplugs under my DC's for a little more noise protection.

Ask around your flight-school and see if you can barrow some headsets to get an idea of what you like.
 
Invest in a decent pair.

I have a DC H10-13.4, and I love it. It costs more than the gray Softcomms my dad has, but those things pinch and hurt so bad I will go headset-less before I'll wear his spare Softcomms.
 
Texguy said:
On the other hand, you could always just get something basic for now. I have 3 headsets and haven't paid more than $85 for any of them. I got 2 of them used. I haven't lost any hearing. They get the job done just fine. Once you finish your PPL you'll want more than 1 headset so you can take up friends. The first one I got was a Softcomm Prince.
Click to expand...

"I haven't lost any hearing." You hope.
 
I think the Lightspeeds are great value. You should be fine with them. But my favorite are the Flightcomm Denalis. I thought they were awesome, light and comfortable and the ANR was great. But they cost a pretty penny. DCs and lightspeeds are probably the most common.
 
I have the David Clark 13.4 and love them. They are superbly well built and last long and they are very comfortable for me. I tried the Lightspeeds and Avcomms for one flight or so and they did not sit well for me. If I don't have my DC's I ain't going. :buck: I might have to take a look at the DC's ANR headset. But if you ask me, David Clark all the way! The service is unparalleled too.
 
Yeah, I've been really impressed with my 13.4 set. If you've got $600 to spend you'd get a great set that will last forever plus a lot of extra cash in your pocket for those pricy lessons (heck you could almost buy two headsets). And if you "upgrade" one day you'll have that 13.4 for the rest of your life to lend to a passenger. Flying around in a C-172 without ANR has not been a problem for me at all. But that's just my opinion...keep trying out sets and find the one that is you.
 
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